Be wary of the Rams

Published: Friday, December 10, 2010 at 10:19 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 10, 2010 at 10:19 a.m.

What is it about playing the New Orleans Saints that brings out the best in the St. Louis Rams lately?

I'm not sure.

But Saints fans get another look at the Rams Sunday in the Superdome in a game featuring two teams fighting for respective division titles and playoff spots with just four games left in the regular season.

Maybe the fact that the 9-3 Saints of the NFC South and the 6-6 Rams of the NFC West were long-time division foes in the old NFC West is the reason the Rams seemingly play so well against the Saints, or maybe it's been that the Saints have taken the Rams lightly the last few seasons, which has led to a close win and a bad loss over the former Los Angeles franchise the last two times the teams have played.

Just look back to last season when the Saints traveled up to St. Louis for a Week 10 game.

I know the Rams finished 1-15 last season, but they gave New Orleans all it wanted in nearly sending the Saints to their first loss of the season. The Saints had a tough time stopping Rams workhorse running back Steven Jackson, who you should expect to get a ton of carries again on Sunday, in the 28-23 victory.

Jackson went for 131 yards and a touchdown, but the Saints did a better job on him in the second half, limiting him to 31 yards on 10 carries.

The Saints also turned the ball over three times against the Marc Bulger-led Rams, something they can't do this week, especially because the Rams are coming off back-to-back road wins and their rookie quarterback Sam Bradford has the team playing with a lot of confidence.

Courtney Roby and Reggie Bush saved the Saints in that game last season.

Roby brought back the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a touchdown to give the Saints a lead they held until the end, though a late shot at the end zone by the Rams would have given them the victory. Bush, who should get significant time on Sunday, rushed six times for 83 yards in the game with a touchdown and caught two balls for 15 yards and another score.

The Rams really hurt the Saints in 2007 by beating them in New Orleans.

The Saints were coming off arguably the most exciting season in franchise history in 2006 when they advanced to the NFC title game for the first time ever. But the team opened 2007 with an 0-4 record, only it rallied to win its next three games to move to 3-4. With a chance to get to .500 at 4-4, the Saints hosted the winless Rams in a game that could have led to the Saints eking into the NFC playoff picture with a win.

But instead, the Rams moved to 1-8 on the season with a 37-29 victory. Even 22 points in the fourth-quarter couldn't save the Saints, who at that point were pretty much done for the season.

There's just something about playing the Saints that brings out the best for the Rams. That's why I expect St. Louis to give the Saints another tough game on Sunday in the Superdome.

Staff Writer Kelly McElroy can be reached at 857-2211 or 448-1200 ext. 2211 or at kelly.mcelroy@houmatoday.com.

<p>What is it about playing the New Orleans Saints that brings out the best in the St. Louis Rams lately?</p><p>I'm not sure.</p><p>But Saints fans get another look at the Rams Sunday in the Superdome in a game featuring two teams fighting for respective division titles and playoff spots with just four games left in the regular season. </p><p>Maybe the fact that the 9-3 Saints of the NFC South and the 6-6 Rams of the NFC West were long-time division foes in the old NFC West is the reason the Rams seemingly play so well against the Saints, or maybe it's been that the Saints have taken the Rams lightly the last few seasons, which has led to a close win and a bad loss over the former Los Angeles franchise the last two times the teams have played.</p><p>Just look back to last season when the Saints traveled up to St. Louis for a Week 10 game.</p><p>I know the Rams finished 1-15 last season, but they gave New Orleans all it wanted in nearly sending the Saints to their first loss of the season. The Saints had a tough time stopping Rams workhorse running back Steven Jackson, who you should expect to get a ton of carries again on Sunday, in the 28-23 victory.</p><p>Jackson went for 131 yards and a touchdown, but the Saints did a better job on him in the second half, limiting him to 31 yards on 10 carries.</p><p>The Saints also turned the ball over three times against the Marc Bulger-led Rams, something they can't do this week, especially because the Rams are coming off back-to-back road wins and their rookie quarterback Sam Bradford has the team playing with a lot of confidence.</p><p>Courtney Roby and Reggie Bush saved the Saints in that game last season.</p><p>Roby brought back the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a touchdown to give the Saints a lead they held until the end, though a late shot at the end zone by the Rams would have given them the victory. Bush, who should get significant time on Sunday, rushed six times for 83 yards in the game with a touchdown and caught two balls for 15 yards and another score.</p><p>The Rams really hurt the Saints in 2007 by beating them in New Orleans.</p><p>The Saints were coming off arguably the most exciting season in franchise history in 2006 when they advanced to the NFC title game for the first time ever. But the team opened 2007 with an 0-4 record, only it rallied to win its next three games to move to 3-4. With a chance to get to .500 at 4-4, the Saints hosted the winless Rams in a game that could have led to the Saints eking into the NFC playoff picture with a win.</p><p>But instead, the Rams moved to 1-8 on the season with a 37-29 victory. Even 22 points in the fourth-quarter couldn't save the Saints, who at that point were pretty much done for the season.</p><p>There's just something about playing the Saints that brings out the best for the Rams. That's why I expect St. Louis to give the Saints another tough game on Sunday in the Superdome.</p><p>Staff Writer Kelly McElroy can be reached at 857-2211 or 448-1200 ext. 2211 or at kelly.mcelroy@houmatoday.com.</p>